Ireland NZ Tour 2022
- Thread starter waiopehu oldboy
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waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Not sure why you need both PGS & Papali'i on the bench.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
What is conservative about this selection?
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
KiwiM
Arch Winning (36)
Scott Barrett at 6.
Ennor in 23.
Barrett at 6 failed miserably in the RWC 2019 semi final. Of all the options at 6 it was the most conservative. They could have started Sowakula at 6 (he's on the bench so why not start him) - they could have started Papalii at 6 (see Sowakula) - now potentially all of Vaai, Hoskins Sotutu or Akira have covid but any of those 3 could have played 6.
The two best number 8s in the country are Sotutu and Grace (who are both excellent lineout operators) and neither of them in are in the 23 - because they constantly have to shoe-horn a 7 into 8 they have to accommodate for it and it stuffs up their whole loose forward balance.
Ennor has never done anything at test level - or even that much at Super level - i'll give them the benefit of the doubt and say that Clarke's hamstring is not 100% and with Havili, Goodhue and Jordan not available it's last man standing for Ennor.
Taylor over Samisoni is conservative as well given Samisoni has been in far better form over the last 12 months but I understand the argument for combinations given the limited build up.
I'll stop there for now.
qwerty51
Stirling Mortlock (74)
Barrett has to play but he's not starting lock over Whitelock and Retallick. It makes sense to me. You don't rule something out with a sample size of 1. Came and Ardie were always going to play given their proven quality and experience at Test level.
Taylor was never going to be dropped. Ennor doesn't really deserve a spot but as you say with the covid outs he's last man standing.
I would've thought Laulala deserves to be in the 23.
Taylor was never going to be dropped. Ennor doesn't really deserve a spot but as you say with the covid outs he's last man standing.
I would've thought Laulala deserves to be in the 23.
KiwiM
Arch Winning (36)
Laulala has a neck issue (Lomax has come in as cover).
Taylor was never going to be dropped because they are conservative. You are proving my point.
As for Barrett - "has to play" - based on what? His Super Rugby form? His tendancy to get carded? He's a good player but he's not so good that he's a nailed on test starter.
Cane I understand because he is captain.
Ardie has been a nailed on starter at 8 for the 3rd season now under Fozzie. As excellent of a player as he is he's not a traditional number 8 and given the problems the AB pack has had in the last 2 seasons they should be looking at different options. Ardie would be an absolute gun off the bench in the last 30 minutes which would allow the ABs to start a proper number 8. Look at the Maori loose forward trio last night which dominated - proper openside, big physical 6 and a hard working lineout gun at 8. Then you look at the ABs which has 2 7s and a lock in their starting trio.
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
If they want tall timber at 6 my backrow would probably be 6 Vaa'i 7 Papali'i 8 Sotutu.
Cane isn't all that IMO and Ardies strengths aren't so pronounced at test level.
But anyway - ultimately a good problem to have for the Darkness. 'wah look at all these amazing players we cant fit into the team'. Fuk u
Cane isn't all that IMO and Ardies strengths aren't so pronounced at test level.
But anyway - ultimately a good problem to have for the Darkness. 'wah look at all these amazing players we cant fit into the team'. Fuk u
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
Scrum coach Greg Feek has now tested positive for Covid. Mike Cron who officially retired after RWC 2019 but has been doing some behind-the-scenes work this year will step in while Feek recovers.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
I'd just about have Tamaiti Williams in the All Blacks 23, not the Maori 23.
He is already very good but certainly looks like he will become an incredible player.
He is already very good but certainly looks like he will become an incredible player.
Dismal Pillock
Michael Lynagh (62)
KiwiM has outlined my thoughts exactly. 4/6 tweener penalty-magnate Scrote Barrett, the fuckheaded cowardly "senior contracted" aspect of the loosies makeup, ffs, fuck this, i need to repair to my painstakingly-sculted Zen sand garden and kick sand in its own face now. If Zen buddhisms key tenet is that life is silent, sombre suffering then Fozzie is motherfucking Buddha's Dayglo Cock Eternally Aflame.
Un fucking beleievable
Un fucking beleievable
Derpus
Nathan Sharpe (72)
Doesn't really matter too much, though. Coming up against a pack that go dismantled by Skelton ffs.
KiwiM
Arch Winning (36)
This AB coaching set up can't even pick the right Crusaders - Grace has been putting on a loose forward clinic in the last month.
waiopehu oldboy
George Smith (75)
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